New acclaimed independent films premiere at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre
Sedona AZ (July 22, 2016) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premieres of the critically-acclaimed new films “Genius” (featuring an all-star ensemble cast) and “Hunt for the Wilderpeople (a critic and audience sensation) showing July 29-Aug. 4 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
GENIUS
An award-winning, all-star ensemble cast is featured in “Genius”, including Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Laura Linney.
Max Perkins discovered Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. But he never met anyone like Thomas Wolfe.
From Academy Award-nominated screenwriter John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator, Hugo, Skyfall) and acclaimed, Tony Award-winning director Michael Grandage in his feature film debut, comes “Genius”, a stirring drama about the complex friendship and transformative professional relationship between the world-renowned book editor Maxwell Perkins (who discovered F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway) and the larger-than-life literary giant Thomas Wolfe.
The two men formed a bond that ran deep, collaborating on the first two of Wolfe’s four novels, “Look Homeward, Angel” and “Of Time and the River”. Their professional relationship lasted for less than a decade, but its impact would resound on both men’s lives until their deaths.
Based on the biography “Max Perkins: Editor of Genius” by Pulitzer Prize-winner A. Scott Berge, “Genius” stars Colin Firth as Perkins, Jude Law as Wolfe, Nicole Kidman as Aline Bernstein, a costume designer sharing a tumultuous relationship with Wolfe, Laura Linney as Louise Perkins, Max’s wife and a talented playwright, Guy Pearce as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Dominic West as Ernest Hemingway.
“Spellbinding! A film of uncommon vitality and imagination. Colin Firth is brilliant, and Jude Law’s explosive performance is a triumph!” raves The New York Observer.
“A very touching film about literary friendship,” says First Showing.
“Genius” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre July 29-Aug. 4. Showtimes will be 4 p.m. on Friday, Sunday and Tuesday, July 29 and 31 and Aug. 2; and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday, July 30 and Aug. 3 and 4.
HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE
Raised on hip-hop and foster care, defiant city kid Ricky gets a fresh start in the New Zealand countryside. He quickly finds himself at home with his new foster family: the loving Aunt Bella, the cantankerous Uncle Hec, and dog Tupac.
When a tragedy strikes that threatens to ship Ricky to another home, both he and Hec go on the run in the bush. As a national manhunt ensues, the newly branded outlaws must face their options: go out in a blaze of glory or overcome their differences and survive as a family.
Equal parts road comedy and rousing adventure story, director Taika Waititi masterfully weaves lively humor with emotionally honest performances by Sam Neill and Julian Dennison.
A hilarious, touching crowd-pleaser, “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” reminds us about the journey that growing up is (at any age) and those who help us along the way.
Critics and audiences are raving about “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”.
“So smart and funny, such a pleasure to experience, you can’t believe your luck!” raves Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times. “Mixes adventure and comedy in ways that consistently surprise!”
“A deliciously good time … gets the audience in stitches!” says Todd McCarthy of the Hollywood Reporter.
“Hunt for the Wilderpeople” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre July 29-Aug. 4. Showtimes will be 7 p.m. on Friday and Sunday, July 29 and 31; and 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 3 and 4.
Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. For tickets and more information, please call 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.